no way out
A quick YouTube search for “opera” this morning yields this startling snippet. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/EM1YsAZnBAU” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]
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the sonnambula chat
La Cieca thanks all you cher public who participated in the live chat during the broadcast of La sonnambula, and a special thanks to featuring your guest host Sanford.
a place at the table
The staging you may like or not like (and La Cieca is sure you will not be shy about expressing your opinion), but, my goodness, what gorgeous singing from Tatiana Monogarova and Mariusz Kwiecien! [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/kC6cuSQuyd0″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]
son geloso del chat errante
La Cieca invites you to join guest host Sanford and the cher public for a friendly little webchat tonight, March 2, 2009 during the broadcast on Sirius and RealNetworks of Bellini’s La sonnambula live from the Metropolitan Opera. Please check back at parterre.com at 7:45 PM to access the chat login screen.
to die with honor
Patricia Racette takes over the remaining performances of Madama Butterfly this season (March 3 and 7) at the Met including the HD telecast, “replacing Cristina Gallardo-Domâs who is ill.”
regie from the block
Quite a few of you, led by Chris, guessed correctly that last week’s Regie puzzler was La bohème. So La Cieca will ratchet up the challenge a bit this week with a less familiar opera.Â
tales of the tunnel
It’s good to know that after the nuclear apocalypse there will still be Lois Kirschenbaum to keep Cher and the cockroaches company. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/FGnWt7pWRPs” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]
is it just me, or…
… does Sondra Radvanovsky (particularly in middle voice) sound eerily like Shirley Verrett?
i wake up screaming
[Our Own Gualtier Malde (along with a few thousand other people) attended the public dress rehearsal of the Met’s new production of La sonnambula this morning. Here is his report.] Innocence, rustic naiveté and virginity just don’t get no respect no more. I should know, I grew up way out in central New Jersey and […]
rolando furioso?
La Cieca hears the distressing news from Paris that Rolando Villazon was advised by his current management to cancel his March appearances as Werther in order to “rest and refresh the voice,” but as of today is still planning to go on in the Massenet opera. Villazon’s appearances in Paris run through March 18, leaving […]
the art of the doyenne
La Cieca continues her salute to the diamond birthday of Renata Scotto with a new episode of Unnatural Acts of Opera. The podcast features the first act of La sonnambula as performed at the Teatro la Fenice on May 26, 1961. La sonnambula, act 1 Renata Scotto (Amina), Alfredo Kraus (Elivino), Ivo Vinco (Rodolfo), Rosa […]
what to say about caballe?
[La Cieca’s old, old, old friend Camille attended Montserrat Caballe‘s Valentine’s Day duo recital earlier this month. Her reactions — which she admits it took her some days to sort out in her mind — follow.] After some reflection and reviewing Caballe’s Orange Festival Norma, once again, I can merely pipe up with my opinion […]
40 winks
A preview the new Decca recording of La sonnambula with Cecilia Bartoli and Juan Diego Flórez. Comments? Amazon.com Widgets
steel drivin’ man
Now, you know La Cieca likes taking a confrontational attitude with operatic authority figures as much as any other gadfly. But she is going to say that this Jeremy Gerard may be carrying the bitch-slapping just a wee bit too far in his current Bloomberg.com screed on the New York City Opera’s year-long hiatus (“City […]
happy 75th birthday, renata scotto
Excerpt from Madama Butterfly, 18 October 1974, San Francisco, CA. Cio-Cio-San: Renata Scotto; Suzuki: Judith Forst.
one-off
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“fool me once, shame on you…”
Bryn Terfel has returned to the Royal Opera after “a break from opera during which he sang concerts, saw his family and indulged a passion for sport.” [via Reuters]
now with 100% more lolcats
Angel Taormina is back and she’s remixed!
the review “play despised by all” speaks for itself
If Florida Grand Opera can survive the critics, the company need have no fear of the recession! Singing, direction sink opera Leah Partridge provides fleeting sparks in lackluster “Lakme”
in like flynn
Angela Gheorghiu has canceled tonight’s performance of Rondine at the Met; presumably Maureen O’Flynn Katie Van Kooten will go on.
calendar, girls!
Courtesy of a particularly dear member of the cher public, La Cieca brings to you the printable Met Season Calendar for 2009-2010. Download PDF.
“gay friends say they come back when robins nest again!”
Those of you who have been fretting about the recent decline in dowdy, badly-coiffed divas who buy their gowns online will be happy to know that Fiorenza Cedolins is bucking the trend. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/CEzNJPYyKX0″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]
sally in our allies
Two weeks later, and the drollery just keeps a-drippin’ in the competition to provide some explanation for a rather curious opera scene depicting a lady apparently trying to drown a chambermaid in a hotel bathtub. The snappiest comeback, in La Cieca’s opinion, issued from wotan_in_inman, “We’ll disguise ourselves to fool both the Count and Figaro. […]
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
